Pig hunting in the pacific islands is quite interesting, especially in the ''FIJI ISLANDS''. As for people living in the highlands of Fiji, it is a tradition to go hunting on special occasions. They are normally accompanied by a pack of seven to ten well trained dogs to help in tracking down wild pigs.
Whoever is willing to go must be well prepared and armed with spear and knives for clearing the path in the dense jungle. The most important task is done by the dogs, they walk quietly through the jungle trying to sniff the scent of the of their prey. Inexperienced dogs normally bark and this can alert any pig in the nearby area and there will be a slight chance in catch anything.
As for experience dogs they will only bark once they actually see the pig so they will catch it and hold on to it till we arrive. Once there, the pig is speared to death and ready to be carried back to the village which is about 15 to 20miles from the spot.
Sometimes the encounter is not as easy as it sounds, it can be risky, dangerous to the hunters and often leads to death. In some hunting trips if the dogs lose grip of the pig they too can get seriously injured or even get killed. The main test is carrying the pig on your back with its dead weight all the way to the village. Everyone takes turn in doing this to ease the load. After a long and tiring walk they finally reach the village where they are welcomed by a bowl of grog just to get rid of the weariness.
The women can now cook or roast the pig in a earth oven to prepare for the special occasion. Once cooked, a celebration is followed by endless kava drinking. This are some of the lifestyle that they have but as far as Pig Hunting is concerned it is an exciting an unforgetable experience it can be risky at times but its also fun, maybe you should come to the island and share the same unique lifestyle.
Written by : Jone Baledrokadroka.
Whoever is willing to go must be well prepared and armed with spear and knives for clearing the path in the dense jungle. The most important task is done by the dogs, they walk quietly through the jungle trying to sniff the scent of the of their prey. Inexperienced dogs normally bark and this can alert any pig in the nearby area and there will be a slight chance in catch anything.
As for experience dogs they will only bark once they actually see the pig so they will catch it and hold on to it till we arrive. Once there, the pig is speared to death and ready to be carried back to the village which is about 15 to 20miles from the spot.
Sometimes the encounter is not as easy as it sounds, it can be risky, dangerous to the hunters and often leads to death. In some hunting trips if the dogs lose grip of the pig they too can get seriously injured or even get killed. The main test is carrying the pig on your back with its dead weight all the way to the village. Everyone takes turn in doing this to ease the load. After a long and tiring walk they finally reach the village where they are welcomed by a bowl of grog just to get rid of the weariness.
The women can now cook or roast the pig in a earth oven to prepare for the special occasion. Once cooked, a celebration is followed by endless kava drinking. This are some of the lifestyle that they have but as far as Pig Hunting is concerned it is an exciting an unforgetable experience it can be risky at times but its also fun, maybe you should come to the island and share the same unique lifestyle.
Written by : Jone Baledrokadroka.
The Polynesian traditions are fascinating, we often undermine their ability to use their resources as efficiently as possible. I've heard many stories about Kava drinking and it's definitely a problem. Hope you enjoyed the assignment.Thanks for the info,
ReplyDeleteThomas Griffiths
Very interesting on how the pigs are hunted. i like huntng but we do it a bit different in montana. it was cool to learn hows its done on the island.
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